Changing Weather and How to Handle It

Changing Weather? Yes—and Here’s How to Handle It

When you’ve been in the green industry for more than 135 years, you have the rare perspective to seeexactly how environments change over time. Our arborists and horticulturalists have seen firsthand thechallenges we face in protecting our properties and green spaces as temperatures warm.While climate change affects everyone, it’s especially relevant to property managers who wish to maintain a healthy landscape.

Warmer temperatures: Earth’s average temperature has risen 2˚ in the last 100 years. This ismore significant than it sounds: the USDA has already revised their winter hardiness zones toreflect rising minimum winter temperatures. The demand for heat tolerant varieties is likely torise as this trend continues.

Increased pest outbreaks: We’re already seeing a northward migration of plant and insectspecies, including landscape pests. Some insect pests are emerging earlier and completing moremaintain a healthy landscape. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the effects of climate change we’realready seeing, along with landscape predictions and implications in light of these changes.generations per season, which boosts their population growth. Increased monitoring anddiagnostic evaluations along with proper plant health care will help counter pest outbreaks asthey occur.

Drought: Already a major concern in the west, increased drought is also predicted for much ofour southern and central regions as well, compounded by groundwater depletion issues in manyagricultural areas. Look for water conservation to be a continuing topic of importancethroughout the industry.

While changing weather patterns present a number of challenges depending on region, taking aproactive stance will help mitigate its effects on the landscape. By thinking ahead, developing effectivesolutions, and taking a strategic approach to landscape maintenance, Davey is committed to achievingtop results for our clients regardless of where the climate takes us.